Canadian film director Larry Weinstein (whose specialty is films on musical subjects) teams up with American record producer Hal Willner (whose specialty is tribute albums - he assembled one in honor of Weill years ago) to create a dark mood piece that delights in four- or five-minute chunks but grows perhaps too dark over an hour and a half.

Like many various-artist collections, you'll want to experience your favorites over and over and fast-forward through the rest. Since this is a film shown in a movie theater, you'll either have to pump up the caffeine or wait for a home video that may never appear.

Although some singers revel in theatrics to striking effect (Harvey rolling around in WWI-era garb during

"The Ballad of the Soldier's Wife" is particularly fetching), the most successful performance is of Carter singing "Lonely Town" behind a jazz combo. Her cool voice and understated expressions tell you all you need to know about the song and its sentiments.

"September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill" plays at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Roxie Cinema, 3117 16th St. (415-863-1087).&lt;